Via Lucis (Stations of Light)
I had a recent convert to the Catholic Church tell me today that she had been asked by a fellow Christian who disagreed with her conversion to the RCC “Do Catholics even BELIEVE in the Resurrection?”
Really? There are people who think that Catholics don’t believe in the Resurrection of Christ!? Well there’s at least one who thought that and someone must have told her that. Let me set the record straight. Yes, Catholics believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. I’m not just saying that.
1. At every Mass we proclaim the “Mystery of our Faith” using one of four possibilities:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
When we eat this bread, and drink this cup we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.
You will notice that of the four possibilities, three explicitly mention the resurrection.
2. Many, many Catholic churches are named after the resurrection.
3. It is explicitly taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Edited to Add: 4. BOTH the Creeds we recite as Catholics (Nicene and Apostle’s) explicitly state that we believe in the resurrection. We recite the Nicene Creed at most Sunday Masses and the Apostle’s Creed as part of many Catholic devotional practices. (Thank you Christine and DUH! on me. LOL!)
5. Last but not least, Catholics celebrate Easter from the Easter Vigil Mass until Pentecost. That’s FIFTY days of celebrating Our Lord’s resurrection mandated by the liturgies of the Church.
And since we have scarcely begun to party in the Catholic Church…spiritually speaking of course…I’d like to share with you a series scriptural meditations just for the season.
Via Lucis (The link will take you to a PDF file that has a printable copy of the Stations of Light with prayers and meditations for those who would like a little more than I have here.)
First Station: Jesus Rises From the Dead (Some suggested scriptures: Acts 3:15; Matthew 28:5b-6a)
Second Station: Disciples Find the Empty Tomb (Luke 24:12; John 20:8; Matthew 28:1-6)
Third Station: Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20: 14b-18)
Fourth Station: Jesus Walks with the Disciples to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-27)
Fifth Station: Jesus Reveals Himself in the Breaking of the Bread (Luke 24:28-35)
Sixth Station: Jesus Appears to the Disciples (Luke 24: 38-40; John 20:19)
Seventh Station: Jesus Confers on the Disciples the Power to Forgive Sins (John 20:19b, 20b-23)
Eighth Station: Jesus Confirms Thomas in the Faith (John 20:24-29)
Ninth Station: Jesus Eats with His Disciples on the Shore of Tiberias (John 21:10-12)
Tenth Station: Jesus Confers Primacy on Peter (John 21:15-19)
Eleventh Station: Jesus Sends His Disciples Into the World (Matthew 29:19-20)
Twelfth Station: Jesus Ascends Into Heaven (Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:9-11)
Thirteenth Station: Mary and the Disciples Await the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12-14)
Fourteenth Station: The Descent of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22; Acts 2:2-4)
HE IS RISEN!!
(and we’re not done celebrating yet!)
